Arson name suppression

A Central Otago man charged with arson at the Pig and Whistle
pub in Queenstown on January 2 was granted interim name
suppression and remanded to January 28 when he appeared in
the Queenstown District Court yesterday.

The 28-year-old faces one indictably laid charge of
intentionally damaging by fire property of the Pig &
Whistle, knowing danger to life was likely to ensue.

Prosecuting Sergeant Ian Collin said the defendant lit an
item of clothing and threw it towards some other patrons in
the bar.

''Then he went into the toilets, closed the cubicle behind
him, set fire to an article of property within the toilet
roll housing, locked the cubicle behind him and left the fire
in situ,'' Sgt Collin said.

Fire alarms were activated, the premises were evacuated and
the toilet cubicle was found to be damaged.

Given the possibility the charge would be ''considerably
reduced'', Judge Phillips granted interim name suppression
until January 28. He did not consider grounds raised by the
defendant's counsel, Bruce Boivin, sufficient to warrant
permanent name suppression. The man's bail conditions were
also varied, allowing him on licensed premises between 3pm
and midnight on January 11, to attend a wedding.